Quality Assurance Manager

CR Systems; Sacramento (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 165,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

401(k)

PTO

Equity eligibility

Job summary

CR Systems in Gold River, CA is seeking a Quality Assurance Manager to own quality across design to production. You will build the QMS and drive certification to AS9100D / ISO 9001:2015, partnering with engineering, manufacturing, and supply chain to ensure compliant, reliable propulsion systems.

The role requires leadership of audits, supplier qualification, and continuous improvement initiatives, plus hands-on quality control, metrics, and documentation discipline to support volume production

Qualifications

• 8+ years in quality engineering or quality assurance in a hardware manufacturing environment.
• Hands-on experience setting up a quality management system from the ground up (ISO 9001, AS9100, or similar) and taking it through certification.
• Experience defining test plans and acceptance criteria and analyzing test data for electromechanical, motor, or propulsion systems.
• Proficiency in root cause analysis and CAPA, using structured, data-driven methods.
• Working knowledge of PFMEA, control plans, First Article Inspection, and measurement system analysis.
• Experience qualifying and managing suppliers or contract manufacturers.

Responsibilities

• Build, implement, and maintain a QMS aligned to AS9100D and ISO 9001:2015, and lead the company through registrar certification audits
• Own QA procedures, work instructions, and document and record control
• Plan and lead internal audits; host and support customer, registrar, and regulatory audits
• Report quality performance and QMS effectiveness to leadership through management reviews
• Define test plans, inspection criteria, and acceptance criteria for motors, controllers, and propulsion assemblies
• Partner with engineering on design verification and validation, including thrust, efficiency, thermal, vibration, and endurance testing
• Analyze test data and own final product release and certificates of conformance
• Support First Article Inspection (AS9102) and production part approval for new products
• Qualify, monitor, and develop suppliers and contract manufacturers, including source inspection and supplier audits
• Set incoming, in-process, and final inspection requirements at manufacturing partner sites
• Oversee calibration, measurement system analysis, and inspection equipment control
• Ensure traceability of parts, materials, and builds, including material certifications and country-of-origin records
• Lead root cause analysis (8D, 5 Whys, fishbone) and drive corrective and preventive actions to closure
• Run the nonconformance and Material Review Board process
• Build PFMEAs and control plans with manufacturing engineering
• Track quality KPIs — first-pass yield, defect rates, supplier performance, field returns, cost of poor quality — and drive improvement
• Manage customer complaints and field failure investigations
• Build and mentor the quality team as the company grows
• Train employees and partner staff on quality requirements and procedures
• Champion a culture where quality is everyone's job

Skills

Quality engineering

Quality assurance

Root cause analysis

Internal audits

Supplier management

Regulatory compliance

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering

Tools

PFMEA

CAPA

First Article Inspection

Measurement System Analysis

AS9100/ISO 9001

Job description

CR Systems designs and delivers high-performance electric propulsion systems that excel in thrust, efficiency, torque balance, and long-term reliability. We offer two primary product lines: commercially proven BLDC motors flying in more than 1,000 UAVs, robotics, and automation systems, and the patented eVector™ Series — counter-rotating, torque-neutral, thermally efficient propulsion for high-endurance platforms.

Our solutions are trusted across UAV and VTOL platforms, marine and subsea robotics, agri-tech, clean energy, industrial automation, and autonomous systems. Every product is engineered from first principles, validated with real test data, backed by IP, and supported by U.S.-based design and leadership with global manufacturing through Vector Technics. Join a team focused on helping customers build systems that go further, operate longer, and run cooler.

About the Role

The Quality Assurance Manager owns product quality across the full lifecycle — from design verification and supplier qualification through production testing and final release. This is a build-it role: you will stand up CR Systems' quality management system and lead the company to AS9100D / ISO 9001:2015 certification.

You will work hands-on with engineering, manufacturing, and supply chain to make sure every motor and propulsion system we ship meets industry standards, customer requirements, and internal specifications. As the company scales from prototype to volume production, you will build the processes, metrics, and culture that keep reliability high and customers confident.

Key Responsibilities

Quality Management System

• Build, implement, and maintain a QMS aligned to AS9100D and ISO 9001:2015, and lead the company through registrar certification audits
• Own QA procedures, work instructions, and document and record control
• Plan and lead internal audits; host and support customer, registrar, and regulatory audits
• Report quality performance and QMS effectiveness to leadership through management reviews

Product Verification and Testing

• Define test plans, inspection criteria, and acceptance criteria for motors, controllers, and propulsion assemblies
• Partner with engineering on design verification and validation, including thrust, efficiency, thermal, vibration, and endurance testing
• Analyze test data and own final product release and certificates of conformance
• Support First Article Inspection (AS9102) and production part approval for new products

Supplier and Production Quality

• Qualify, monitor, and develop suppliers and contract manufacturers, including source inspection and supplier audits
• Set incoming, in-process, and final inspection requirements at manufacturing partner sites
• Oversee calibration, measurement system analysis, and inspection equipment control
• Ensure traceability of parts, materials, and builds, including material certifications and country-of-origin records

Problem Solving and Continuous Improvement

• Lead root cause analysis (8D, 5 Whys, fishbone) and drive corrective and preventive actions to closure
• Run the nonconformance and Material Review Board process
• Build PFMEAs and control plans with manufacturing engineering
• Track quality KPIs — first-pass yield, defect rates, supplier performance, field returns, cost of poor quality — and drive improvement
• Manage customer complaints and field failure investigations

Leadership

• Build and mentor the quality team as the company grows
• Train employees and partner staff on quality requirements and procedures
• Champion a culture where quality is everyone's job

Required Qualifications

• 8+ years in quality engineering or quality assurance in a hardware manufacturing environment, including 3+ years leading quality programs or teams
• Hands‑on experience setting up a quality management system from the ground up (ISO 9001, AS9100, or similar) and taking it through certification
• Experience defining test plans and acceptance criteria and analyzing test data for electromechanical, motor, or propulsion systems
• Proficiency in root cause analysis and CAPA, using structured, data‑driven methods
• Working knowledge of PFMEA, control plans, First Article Inspection, and measurement system analysis
• Experience qualifying and managing suppliers or contract manufacturers
• Track record of leading internal audits and supporting external audits
• Clear communicator who works well with engineering, manufacturing, and supply chain, and explains technical issues to non-technical stakeholders
• Able to manage competing priorities in a fast-moving startup environment

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering, quality management, or a related field
• Experience in aerospace, defense, UAV, robotics, industrial automation, or other high-reliability hardware environments
• Familiarity with regulatory and safety standards relevant to electric propulsion or UAV systems
• ASQ certification (CQE, CQA, or CMQ/OE) and/or AS9100 lead auditor training
• Six Sigma Green or Black Belt, or Lean manufacturing experience
• Experience with DoD contract quality requirements (DFARS flowdowns, counterfeit parts prevention, material traceability)
• Experience managing quality at offshore or remote manufacturing partners

Compensation and Requirements

Compensation: The base salary range for this role is $120,000 – $165,000 per year. Final pay depends on experience, skills, certifications, and qualifications.

Benefits: medical, dental, vision, 401(k), PTO, equity eligibility

Work requirements:

• On-site in Gold River, CA, with up to 30% travel to manufacturing partner and supplier sites
• This position requires access to technology and information subject to U.S. export control regulations (ITAR/EAR). Applicants must be U.S. persons as defined by 22 CFR 120.62 (U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, or protected individual)
• CR Systems is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected status.